Life Sciences: Workshop Reports/Summaries

The Division hosts many workshops, symposia, and other meetings that
provide information or bring together policy-makers, members of
industry, scientists, and the general public to discuss timely issues.
Discussions at workshops and other events are often published in
workshop summaries, websites, newsletters, and other formats to preserve
and make publicly accessible the information or discussions from the
event.

Search all workshop summaries

To search for an exact phrase, use quotation marks (i.e., “Earth and life”)

Climate change poses risks to human health through shifting weather patterns, increases in the frequency and intensity of heat waves and other extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and ocean acidification, among other environmental effects. Robust models that project the future health risks of climate change are needed to inform adaptation efforts, reduce adverse health effects, and to help to inform national and international discussion...
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In a world where science is interpreted through a variety of lenses--including cultural values and political dispositions--how can scientists engage with members of the public to empower decision-making and participation in public policy? The development and application of genetically modified plants and animals, also known as GMOs, has been the subject of multifaceted societal debate by some stakeholders, including scientists. This repor...
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Gain-of-function (GOF) research aims to improve understanding of disease pathways by modifying the ability of an infectious agent to cause disease. The potential benefits of such modifications are to help find targets for vaccines and drugs as well as provide information that can help in surveillance for potentially pandemic strains. But concerns about biosafety and biosecurity risks are also part of current debates over GOF research on th...
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Engaging the public-at-large with the life sciences is more important now than ever. Advances in life sciences research--from biofuels to genetically modified foods, and from biotechnology to sustainable communities--have enormous implications for the health and well-being of society and the environment. Yet, there are few support systems for scientists who wish to share their research with non-expert audiences.
The National Research Council'...
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The BioWatch program, funded and overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has three main elements--sampling, analysis, and response--each coordinated by different agencies.
Technologies to Enable Autonomous Detection for BioWatch is the summary of a workshop hosted jointly by the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council in June 2013 to explore alternative cost-effective systems that would meet the requirements for ...
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